Readings for:
Day 352 – Wednesday, December 18: Hebrews 1 – 6
Day 353 – Thursday, December 19: Hebrews 7 – 10
Day 354 – Friday, December 20: Hebrews 11 – 13

I can hear Harriet say, “Now Pastor, you know the Bible is very clear on who is supposed to make the morning coffee!” “It is?” I would reply and she would start laughing. “Of course, it does . . . He – Brews!”

Harriet was a beloved church lady at my last call in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and she was always full of whit and humor. Yet always filled with a deep and sincere passion for our Lord. Unfortunate for me, but a blessing for her, God called her home while I was serving there and we had a wonderful celebration of life, filled in with her whit and humor.

As I think of Harriet and her passion, Hebrews comes to mind as it is full of passion and love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. From its opening words:

“Long ago, God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he as spoke to us bay a Son!”
(Hebrews 1:1-2a)

Much like the eloquent words to the beginning of the Gospel of John, the unknown author writes beautiful words that connect Jesus Christ, to the ancient of days through the Order of Melchizedek. Now you may be asking, “who is that?” Over and over again, the Letter to the Hebrews refers back to this peculiar named priest, but know this isn’t the first time we’ve heard his name. Look back with me to Genesis 14:

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, ¹⁹ and he blessed Abram, saying,

And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine;
he was priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said:
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.
And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.”
(Genesis 14-18-20)

Long ago . . . Hebrews starts out, and we are connected to the first priest of God. Little mentioned. Little reflected upon. Still important to the story as Abram is blessed by God through Melchizedek. A blessing that is then poured out to us through Christ who is the completion of the line of priest. Christ is the perfection of everything God created, and through the cross we are forever united into the priesthood of all believers.

I know it’s complicated. Still it’s beautiful!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey